Papers by Christian Beck
After the siege and the assault of Troy, when that burg was destroyed and burnt to ashes, and the... more After the siege and the assault of Troy, when that burg was destroyed and burnt to ashes, and the traitor tried for his treason, the noble AEneas and his kin sailed forth to become princes and patrons of well-nigh all the Western Isles. Thus Romulus built Rome (and gave to the city his own name, which it bears even to this day); and Ticius turned him to Tuscany; and Langobard raised him up dwellings in Lombardy; and Felix Brutus sailed far over the French flood, and founded the kingdom of Britain, wherein have been war and waste and wonder, and bliss and bale, ofttimes since. And in that kingdom of Britain have been wrought more gallant deeds than in any other; but of all British kings Arthur was the most valiant, as I have heard tell, therefore will I set forth a wondrous adventure that fell out in his time. And if ye will listen to me, but for a little while, I will tell it even as it stands in story stiff and strong, fixed in the letter, as it hath long been known in the land.***** King Arthur lay at Camelot upon a Christmas-tide, with many a gallant lord and lovely lady, and all the noble brotherhood of the Round Table. There they held rich revels with gay talk and jest; one while they would ride forth to joust and tourney, and again back to the court to make carols; 2 for there was the feast holden fifteen days with all the mirth that men could devise, song and glee, glorious to hear, in the daytime, and dancing at night. Halls and chambers were crowded with noble guests, the bravest of knights and the loveliest of ladies, and Arthur himself was the comeliest king that ever held a court. For all this fair folk were in their youth, the fairest and most fortunate under heaven, and the king himself of such fame that it were hard now to name so valiant a hero. Now the New Year had but newly come in, and on that day a double portion was served on the high table to all the noble guests, and thither came the king with all his knights, when the service in the chapel had been sung to an end. And they greeted each other for the New Year, and gave rich gifts, the one to the other (and they that received them were not wroth, that may ye well believe!), and the maidens laughed and made mirth till it was time to get them to meat. Then they washed and sat them down to the feast in fitting rank and order, and Guinevere the queen, gaily clad, sat on the high daïs. Silken was her seat, with a fair canopy over her head, of rich tapestries of Tars, embroidered, and studded with costly gems; fair she was to look upon, with her shining grey eyes, a fairer woman might no man boast himself of having seen. But Arthur would not eat till all were served, so full of joy and gladness was he, even as a child; he liked not either to lie long, or to sit long at meat, so worked upon him his young blood and his wild brain. And another custom he had also, that came of his nobility, that he would never eat upon an high day till he had been advised of some knightly deed, or some strange and marvellous tale, of his ancestors, or of arms, or of other ventures. Or till some stranger knight should seek of him leave to joust with one of the Round Table, that they might set their lives in jeopardy, one against another, as fortune might favour them. Such was the king's custom when he sat in hall at each high feast with his noble knights, therefore on that New Year tide, he abode, fair of face, on the throne, and made much mirth withal. Thus the king sat before the high tables, and spake of many things; and there good Sir Gawain was seated by Guinevere the queen, and on her other side sat Agravain, à la dure main; 3 both were the king's sister's sons and full gallant knights. And at the end of the table was Bishop Bawdewyn, and Ywain, King Urien's son, sat at the other side alone. These were worthily served on the daïs, and at the lower tables sat many valiant knights. Then they bare the first course with the blast of trumpets and waving of banners, with the sound of drums and pipes, of song and lute, that many a heart was uplifted at the melody. Many were the dainties, and rare the meats, so great was the plenty they might scarce find room on the board to set on the dishes. Each helped himself as he liked best, and to each two were twelve dishes, with great plenty of beer and wine. Now I will say no more of the service, but that ye may know there was no lack, for there drew near a venture that the folk might well have left their labour to gaze upon. As the sound of the music ceased, and the first course had been fitly served, there came in at the hall door one terrible to behold, of stature greater than any on earth; from neck to loin so strong and thickly made, and with limbs so long and so great that he seemed even as a giant. And yet he was but a man, only the mightiest that might mount a steed; broad of chest and shoulders and slender of waist, and all his features of like fashion; but men marvelled much at his colour, for he rode even as a knight, yet was green all over. For he was clad all in green, with a straight coat, and a mantle above; all decked and lined with fur was the cloth and the hood that was thrown back from his locks and lay on his shoulders. Hose had he of the same green, and spurs of bright gold with silken fastenings richly worked; and all his vesture was verily green. Around his waist and his saddle were bands with fair stones set upon silken work, 'twere too long to tell of all the trifles that were embroidered thereon-birds and insects in gay gauds of green and gold. All the trappings of his steed were of metal of like enamel, even the stirrups that he stood in stained of the same, and stirrups and saddle-bow alike gleamed and shone with green stones. Even the steed on which he rode was of the same hue, a green horse, great and strong, and hard to hold, with broidered bridle, meet for the rider. The knight was thus gaily dressed in green, his hair falling around his shoulders; on his breast hung a beard, as thick and green as a bush, and the beard and the hair of his head were clipped all round above his elbows. The lower part of his sleeves were fastened with clasps in the same wise as a king's mantle. The horse's mane was crisp and plaited with many a knot folded in with gold thread about the fair green, here a twist of the hair, here another of gold. The tail was twined in like manner, and both were bound about with a band of bright green set with many a precious stone; then they were tied aloft in a cunning knot, whereon rang many bells of burnished gold. Such a steed might no other ride, nor had such ever been looked upon in that hall ere that time; and all who saw that knight spake and said that a man might scarce abide his stroke. The knight bore no helm nor hauberk, neither gorget nor breast-plate, neither shaft nor buckler to smite nor to shield, but in one hand he had a holly-bough, that is greenest when the groves are bare, and in his other an axe, huge and uncomely, a cruel weapon in fashion, if one would picture it. The head was an ell-yard long, the metal all of green steel and gold, the blade burnished bright, with a broad edge, as well shapen to shear as a sharp razor. The steel was set into a strong staff, all bound round with iron, even to the end, and engraved with green in cunning work. A lace was twined about it, that looped at the head, and all adown the handle it was clasped with tassels on buttons of bright green richly broidered. The knight rideth through the entrance of the hall, driving straight to the high daïs, and greeted no man, but looked ever upwards; and the first words he spake were, "Where is the ruler of this folk? I would gladly look upon that hero, and have speech with him." He cast his eyes on the knights, and mustered them up and down, striving ever to see who of them was of most renown. other weapons to mine hand, but since I seek no war my raiment is that of peace. But if thou be as bold as all men tell thou wilt freely grant me the boon I ask." And Arthur answered, "Sir Knight, if thou cravest battle here thou shalt not fail for lack of a foe." And the knight answered, "Nay, I ask no fight, in faith here on the benches are but beardless children, were I clad in armour on my steed there is no man here might match me. Therefore I ask in this court but a Christmas jest, for that it is Yule-tide, and New Year, and there are here many fain for sport. If any one in this hall holds himself so hardy, 4 so bold both of blood and brain, as to dare strike me one stroke for another, I will give him as a gift this axe, which is heavy enough, in sooth, to handle as he may list, and I will abide the first blow, unarmed as I sit. If any knight be so bold as to prove my words let him come swiftly to me here, and take this weapon, I quit claim to it, he may keep it as his own, and I will abide his stroke, firm on the floor. Then shalt thou give me the right to deal him another, the respite of a year and a day shall he have. Now haste, and let see whether any here dare say aught." Now if the knights had been astounded at the first, yet stiller were they all, high and low, when they had heard his words. The knight on his steed straightened himself in the saddle, and rolled his eyes fiercely round the hall, red they gleamed under his green and bushy brows. He frowned and twisted his beard, waiting to see who should rise, and when none answered he cried aloud in mockery, "What, is this Arthur's hall, and these the knights whose renown hath run through many realms? Where are now your pride and your conquests, your wrath, and anger, and mighty words? Now are the praise and the renown of the Round Table overthrown by one man's speech, since all keep silence for dread ere ever they have seen a blow!" With that he laughed so loudly that the blood rushed to the king's fair face for very shame; he waxed wroth, as did all his knights, and sprang to his feet, and drew near to the stranger and said, "Now...
Journal for Cultural Research, 2016
As one of the most prominent and controversial philosophers of the twentieth century, Gilles Dele... more As one of the most prominent and controversial philosophers of the twentieth century, Gilles Deleuze reshaped philosophical thinking and, consequently, approaches to interpreting global events. While not engaging with ‘globalization’ per se, Deleuze’s thinking has a pro- found impact on the globalising world, as well as the alter-globalisation movement. As borders shift, nations fall and a state of perpetual war begins to take hold of both the devel- oped and developing areas of the world, Deleuze’s spatial approach to philosophy and cultural interpretation becomes increasingly important as a means to understand and ‘read’ events around the world. From the continual advancement of the self-described Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL or ISIS) to the democratic protests in Hong Kong, Deleuze’s philosophy elucidates the volatility of space, the means to contest space and the implications of living in such spaces. In short, through Deleuze’s philosophy we can better understand events currently reshaping our cultures, attitudes, relationships and world. The opportunity to open new lines of inquiry not just around Deleuze’s thought, but also towards world events, could be instrumental in apprehending the cultural and ontological significance of late term capitalism, challenged statist ideologies and an all together new world (dis)order.
Journal for Cultural Research, 2016
This article argues that the Internet possesses the potential to challenge corporate and Statist ... more This article argues that the Internet possesses the potential to challenge corporate and Statist domination of digital space. Mapping Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari’s concepts of the rhizome, smooth/striated space, and the nomad onto the idea of digital connectivity, I show how hacktivism can initiate change both online and off. In the first section, I argue that the Internet is characteristic of a rhizome. As a rhizome, the Internet’s structure affords it a flexible, morphological, and ultimately a vibrantly powerful configuration. As a result of its connective and generative power, corporate and State entities seek to control digital space. These controlling institutions stratify, segment, and claim ownership over the flat, smooth space. The second section, then, shows how the Internet becomes striated through corporate and State interests. As a remedy, the third section advocates for hacktivism as a form of nomadic action. In this section, I focus on the Distributed Denial of Service attack as a form of deterritorialization that redistributes the flow of information. Acting as a digital machine de guerre engaging in online direct action, and against the legal apparatus of the State, hacktivists create a rupture in the rhizomatic structure and form smooth spaces within a striated network. In the final section, I advocate for sustained smooth digital spaces that allow for new modes of association that radiate outward from the digital to the physical world.
Book Chapters by Christian Beck
Mobility, Spatiality, and Resistance in Literary and Political Discourse, 2021
The effects of postcolonialism, technology, and neoliberalism have highlighted the importance of ... more The effects of postcolonialism, technology, and neoliberalism have highlighted the importance of spatial analysis, particularly in literary and cultural studies. This so-called spatial turn has brought significant attention to the ways in which spaces and places construct identities, behaviors, expectations, communication, and politics. Attention to geographical, cultural, and sociological spaces in literature introduces readers to the realities of many identities that are overlooked, underrepresented, or oppressed. Similarly, spatial analysis has also been linked to issues surrounding movement and mobility, as well as studies of resistance to dominant and oppressive power. However, more can be said about literature's role in illuminating new and diverse spaces, mobility studies, and a politics of resistance. Specifically, literature can be an avenue toward political and social action through its spatial awareness, production, and potentiality. While offering interpretations of literature, this collection seeks to show how literary spaces contribute to understanding, changing, or challenging notions of mobility and physical spaces of our lived world. Literature has
Mobility, Spatiality, and Resistance in Literary and Political Discourse, 2021
This volume explored the ways mobility, spatiality, resistance, literature, and politics intersec... more This volume explored the ways mobility, spatiality, resistance, literature, and politics intersect and inform each other. At various points of contact, these concepts can be seen to open up new spaces, highlight possibilities of new becomings, and create new approaches to reading movement. While literature serves as the primary means to discuss these ideas throughout this volume, I would like to end by reflecting on an image that encapsulates all of these ideas and embodies what I believe is at the heart of this collection. While Tatyana Fazlalizadeh's mural on Public School 92 in Harlem, NY may appear to simply depict a young Black woman reading, there is much more occurring in this piece, with much greater implications and relevance to the discussions found in this collection. My concluding remarks, therefore, will be directed toward Fazlalizadeh's mural, but will also be a means to reflect back on the various topics and themes that comprise the volume. I believe the best way to end this collection is to look toward the future. The image of a hopeful future is going to (and ought to) look different than previous images of our history, as Walter Benjamin did with Paul
Open Pedagogy Approaches: Faculty, Library, and Student Collaborations, 2020
This book chapter was a part of the publication, "Open Pedagogy Approaches: Faculty, Library, and... more This book chapter was a part of the publication, "Open Pedagogy Approaches: Faculty, Library, and Student Collaborations." It highlights a case study from the University of Central Florida of creating an open literature anthology.
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Papers by Christian Beck
Book Chapters by Christian Beck